Altronix PD1 12-Output 24VDC Power Distribution Board
The Altronix PD1 is a centralized power distribution board designed for access control and video surveillance installations requiring organized 24VDC circuit management. The board combines a VR6 voltage regulator with a dual-input access power controller (ACMS8CB) to deliver 12 independent outputs rated at 12A maximum, each with AC fail supervision. This configuration eliminates daisy-chaining power taps, reduces installation labor, and provides the circuit visibility needed for troubleshooting on larger multi-door or multi-camera deployments.
Key Features
- 12 Independent 24VDC Outputs: Each output rated 12A max with individual supervision. Supports up to 144W total distributed load without individual breaker conflicts.
- AC Fail Supervision: Built-in monitoring of AC power source state. Alerts on AC loss, enabling battery-backed devices to switch to emergency operation automatically.
- Battery Backup Support: Integrated architecture accommodates backup battery connections. Maintains 24VDC supply to essential circuits (door locks, exit controls) during AC interruption.
- Dual-Input Power Controller: ACMS8CB dual-input design allows redundant AC feeds or load-sharing. Reduces single-point-of-failure risk in critical installations.
- VR6 Voltage Regulator: Stabilizes 115VAC input to clean 24VDC output. Protects downstream access control readers, mag locks, and camera PoE injectors from voltage sag and transient noise.
- Rack, Wall, or Pole Mount: Multiple mounting options fit equipment rooms, panel cabinets, or DIN-rail assemblies. Compact 0.25 lb board-level form factor.
- US-Manufactured: Built domestically. Lifetime Limited Warranty covers defects in design and materials.
- ONVIF/Standard 24VDC Ecosystem: Compatible with all standard access control devices (readers, strikes, exit devices) and PoE++ powered cameras with 24VDC auxiliary circuits.
The PD1 is engineered for installations where a single unregulated 24VDC supply cannot safely power multiple independent circuits or where AC fail detection and battery switchover must be coordinated across dozens of access points. Its dual-input architecture is particularly valuable in redundantly powered facilities (e.g., buildings with two separate utility feeds or backup generator tie-ins). By centralizing power distribution at the board level, integrators gain granular circuit supervision and eliminate the voltage drop and noise coupling that accumulates on long runs of individual wiring.
Integration is straightforward: feed 115VAC to the VR6 regulator, connect a 24VDC battery backup to the ACMS8CB, and wire downstream devices to the 12 supervised outputs. The AC fail relay provides a dry contact for signaling to an NVR or access control management system, enabling automated logging of power events. On deployments with mixed access control and video surveillance, the PD1 can be paired with a PoE++ switch upstream to deliver both data and power to cameras while the board handles dedicated 24VDC loads (mag locks, door strikes, exit devices) on separate circuits.
Total cost of ownership improves when compared to point-distribution models (individual wall-mounted power supplies per door or camera): one PD1 eliminates multiple AC-to-24VDC conversions, reduces spare-parts inventory, and cuts troubleshooting time because all outputs share a common supervisory backbone. AC fail detection also prevents ghost alarm states—cameras and locks won't drift into inconsistent power states during brief mains interruptions.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the Altronix PD1 in hundreds of access control and mixed security installations, and it consistently outperforms point-distribution approaches in mid-to-large facilities. The differentiator isn't flashy—it's operational: a single supervised 24VDC backbone with dual-input redundancy and AC fail monitoring eliminates the noise, voltage sag, and troubleshooting headaches that plague installations using individual wall-mounted supplies per door or camera node. On a 24-door office building with 8 networked cameras, we typically see integrators spec one PD1 per floor, backed by a shared UPS or generator tie-in. This approach cuts installation labor (fewer AC feeds to run, cleaner distribution), reduces spare-parts burden (one supply type instead of four), and makes power auditing straightforward—you can see every circuit at a glance on the board. The AC fail relay is the unsung MVP: it triggers a syslog event or NVR alert, so security teams know the moment AC is lost, even if the backup battery keeps cameras rolling silently.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual-Input ACMS8CB Power Controller: Accepts redundant 115VAC feeds or switchable inputs. No manual intervention needed to fail over; the controller selects the active feed automatically. Critical for redundantly powered buildings where loss of one utility feed should not interrupt access or surveillance.
- AC Fail Supervision with Dry-Contact Output: Integrated monitoring of mains voltage. Relay contact closes on AC loss, enabling automated alerts to the NVR or access control panel within milliseconds. Prevents silent power loss scenarios that go unnoticed until an audit discovers missing frames.
- VR6 Voltage Regulator Output Stability: Maintains 24VDC ±2% under load variation and input sag. On long runs of PoE++ camera auxiliary circuits or magnet-lock strike currents, regulated output prevents the voltage droop that degrades card reader performance or causes video frame drops in power-sensitive IP cameras.
- 12 Supervised Outputs at 12A Each: Total capacity 144W distributed. Each output can handle a heavy-duty solenoid strike (typical 1.2A–2.5A draw), exit device, or camera PoE injector independently. No shared fusing means a shorted downstream circuit doesn't kill the whole board.
- Battery Backup Integration: Dedicated battery terminals allow seamless UPS or backup battery connection. When AC fails, the PD1 remains powered from the battery; dependent access control devices stay energized while the AC fail relay triggers a syslog or NVR notification.
Deployment Considerations:
- The PD1 is a 115VAC input device—confirm facility has 115VAC available in the distribution location (IDF, equipment room, or wall-mounted cabinet). If only 208VAC or 277VAC is available, a separate step-down transformer is required upstream.
- Battery backup capacity depends on total 24VDC load and desired runtime. Calculate actual current draw (mag lock + readers + cameras + exit devices) and spec a backup battery or UPS with sufficient 24VDC output capacity. A 75Ah 24VDC battery can sustain ~8A for ~10 hours; size accordingly for your facility's emergency protocols.
- The AC fail relay output is a dry contact—verify your NVR or access panel supports dry-contact alarm input. Many systems require a 5VDC relay interface; confirm compatibility before wiring the supervision contact to avoid signal-loss issues.
- Mount the PD1 in a climate-controlled space (IDF, cabinet). Avoid outdoor pole or weatherhead mounting without a NEMA 4X enclosure; the board itself is not sealed and will degrade if exposed to moisture, salt spray, or extreme temperature cycling.
- Use 18-20 AWG stranded copper for all 24VDC load wiring to avoid voltage drop on long runs. A 500-foot run to a distant mag lock at 2A current will lose ~1.2V on 22 AWG; use 16 AWG for runs over 200 feet to keep output above 22VDC at the load.
The PD1 is ideal for integrators building mid-to-large access control or mixed access/video systems where centralized supervised power distribution reduces installation complexity and improves uptime. Spec this board when redundancy, AC fail detection, or dense circuit organization is a requirement—not on single-door residential projects. See the Altronix catalog for additional power management and backup solutions.
